Impact of Wildlife Crime

Why should we care about protecting wildlife?

Environmental crimes have a catastrophic effect on our planet’s biodiversity and negatively impact our climate, public health, and the security of local communities.

Elephants and rhinos help shape landscapes and help the regrowth of trees and vegetation.

Tigers and pangolins help balance the populations of other animals in the forest, like deer and termites.

Therefore, the removal of such wildlife from their natural environment can have a significant impact upon the functioning of key ecosystems.

From a financial perspective, illegal wildlife trafficking is the fourth most profitable global crime after human trafficking. Together with fisheries crime and illegal logging, it generates an estimated two trillion U.S. dollars per year and involves other crimes, including financial crimes and corruption.

How can criminal justice officials help protect wildlife?

Wildlife traffickers often perceive the trade of wildlife as a low-risk, high-reward business. They have a low risk of punishment by the criminal justice system, and they make enough money to live a luxurious, powerful lifestyle.

For punishment to have a deterrent effect, it must be appropriate for this type of serious crime, and it must be consistently applied. Carefully consider the financial aspects of the case.

What is the value of the proceeds of crime in this case?

What is the value of the species being illegally traded?

What is the damage caused to the species?

What is the damage caused to the environment?

50 USD Fine

If a wildlife trafficker gets

For illegally trading rhino horn of

1,000 USD Profit

Then this fine could be viewed as a small price to pay for doing business.